Braden Holtby ranks first among active NHL goaltenders in career playoff save percentage and goals-against average, but on Friday, there was one stop he couldn’t make.

During the first period, an orange balloon made its way out from the crowd and hovered over the ice. Holtby left his crease during a stoppage in play to try and knock the balloon out of the air. He failed.

Capitals and Maple Leafs players looked on helplessly for several minutes as the balloon hovered over the ice. Eventually, official Wes McCauley got a hockey stick and took matters into his own hands. McCauley’s errant swings gave the balloon just enought of a push to go into the stands.

When the Capitals were down 2-1 in the second period, an unassuming red balloon floated out from the crowd. It hovered ominously twenty feet over Jason LaBarbera’s head. The annoyed Coyotes goaltender swiped at the ‘loon before knocking it up in the air with his stick. No biggie, right? The Capitals promptly scored three inspired goals and defeated Phoenix 4-3.

In conclusion, whenever you see a balloon on the ice at Verizon Center, good things are about to happen.